Major League Baseball is in the process of negotiating a new Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) with minor league teams. The current agreement expires at the end of the 2020 season and MLB is reportedly seeking sweeping changes.

The Baseball America reports states MLB wants to improve minor league facilities and take control over the organization of affiliations based on the geography of leagues. Part of a proposal from MLB call for the reduction of Minor League Baseball from 160 teams to 120, starting in 2021.

The plan would also reorganize the Triple A, Double A, and Class A leagues based on geography. Baseball America reports league sizes could grow, leading some franchises to change levels and leagues.

How would the proposal impact teams in New England?

The Hartford Yard Goats are part of the Double A Eastern League, playing in the 6,121-seat Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The stadium, which opened in 2017 and was constructed at a cost of $71 million, is considered one of the best facilities in minor league baseball.

The Yard Goats are affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. Under the proposed scenario, Hartford be home to Triple A International League franchise, with seats added to Dunkin’ Donuts Park.The minimum capacity for Triple A parks has been 10,000 seats.

New England’s only Triple A franchise is the Pawtucket Red Sox, who are relocating to a new ballpark in Worcester, Mass. in 2021. The Worcester Triple A affiliate of the Red Sox will seemingly be unaffected by the proposed changes.

In Norwich, the short-season, Class A Connecticut Tigers — which is in the process of rebranding — will be impacted. The Baseball America report says the MLB Draft will be moved to August and short-season leagues will be eliminated.

The Tigers play in the New York-Penn League with franchises throughout the Northeast, including Vermont, Lowell, Mass., Brooklyn, Staten Island and throughout upstate New York. Teams could be shifted to another level or short-season leagues could become full-season outlets, according to the report.

But the Tigers would seem vulnerable, playing in the 24-year-old Dodd Stadium.

Other minor league franchises in New England: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Manchester, N.H.) and Portland (Maine) Sea Dogs in the Eastern League.

Baseball America also reports teams eliminated from a new alignment could form a so-called Dream League for undrafted players. The “quasi-independent league” would be a joint venture between MLB and MiLB.

Negotiations between MLB and MiLB, described by Baseball America as “contentious,” have reportedly been tabled for the month of October. The side are expected to meet in Novemeber, ahead of the annual Winter Meetings in San Diego.